Stanford Holds Off South Carolina to Reach Title Game

The last time the Cardinal were in the national final, they fell to UConn, 53-47, in the Alamodome. Stanford, coached by Tara VanDerveer since 1985, last won the title in 1992.

“To be able to bring us back to this national championship stage is just an honor,” Jones said. “For Tara, for the team, for the program.”

Stanford struggled at the game’s start, committing four turnovers in the first five minutes, but took the lead on a set of free throws by junior guard Lexie Hull at the beginning of the second quarter. By halftime, the Cardinal were up by 6.

As the game developed, both teams began favoring perimeter shots, with Jones and Cooke duking it out as a combination of players — including Cameron Brink and Fran Belibi — worked to keep Boston, South Carolina’s versatile star, from dominating. Boston finished with 11 points, on 5-of-14 shooting, and 16 rebounds.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/sports/ncaabasketball/stanford-south-carolina-final-four.html